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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

First time trying IVF... anyone want to keep me company?!

113 replies

loulamay · 11/05/2020 13:40

Hi all,

Few quick facts - partner and I are both just into our 40s, have been TTC for a year with no luck. He has a slightly low sperm count at just under 16 million and I have a past history of PCOS, although according to my Dr, am producing an amazing number of eggs for a woman my age (in fact interestingly he talked to me about recent studies that may show that women with PCOS may have a delayed reduction in fertility in line with age: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447787/).

We have had one unsuccessful IUI and have decided to move onto IVF to try and take advantage of the fact that my ovarian reserve still looks good. I also froze my eggs when I was 36, before I met DP, so we will probably fertilise them at the same time as only that we collect from this cycle.

Feeling a huge mixture of nervousness and excitement, especially during these crazy COVID times, and wondered if anyone was in the same boat and starting IVF now? I am on day 2 of my cycle and had my first Gonal F 300 injection this morning - 5 more days of that and my Dr wants to see me for my first scan.

L

OP posts:
Whilstwewait · 09/07/2020 16:24

@BFP2020 welcome. I haven't had an IUI. We are currently waiting for our first appointment so not sure if its something we will try. Will let you know if we do

@loulamay hope you're still doing ok and the HCG is still rising Grin xx

Original poster
loulamay · 08/07/2020 18:29

@BFP2020 I love your username Smile - going to channel some of that positivity!

I had one IUI before we started IVF just to see what the result would be, and because we had male factor of slightly low sperm count. I would definitely recommend it, mainly because it's so much less invasive and stressful compared to the IVF, and is pretty much like having a smear test except you get to watch the catheter and sperm on the ultrasound screen when it's inserted which is amazing.

Ours didn't work sadly, but had I been a bit younger I think we would have tried again - my partner's washed sperm count was double what it is normally so that really increased our chances.

Crazily I'm still pregnant over here and my HCG level has doubled, although still low. I did ovulate on day 18 of my cycle (with trigger shot, although I'm usually late at around day 19-20) so no idea if that has played a role.

Dr seems happy and wants to see me in 2 weeks for a scan... There is no way I'm going to be able to stay away from the home tests until then. Send help.

OP posts:
Eggling · 08/07/2020 09:35

Hi @BFP2020 and welcome! No experience of IUI I'm afraid but hopefully someone will be able to help.

BFP2020 · 07/07/2020 22:27

I hope it's ok if I join too and I hope @loulamay your hcg rises again tomorrow and keeps rising! Have you taken a test at all?

Hi everyone I have read all your posts and I am following all your stories now in the hope we all get positive soon 🤞🏼

So my story is I am a bit behind you guys but getting ready for help! I'm on cycle 19 TTC no 2 (2 years to have DD but we were young and just let it happen) have been to a fertility doctor and I am due to have a lap and dye done on the 20th July for possible Endometriosis (only feel normal with no pain for about 10 days in a month) if everything is ok then our plan is to try IUI as there are no boards for IUI is it ok if I join here? Have any of you tried IUI before IVF? Xx

Original poster
loulamay · 07/07/2020 20:37

How exciting!! Keep us posted!

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 07/07/2020 20:15

@loulamay I’ve been around for a little bit but don’t get to post very often - I’m at work 0745-1800+ most days and nothing’s really happening with me worth talking about yet. Going to try IVF with donor sperm, have found a clinic and had initial tests, just waiting for them to approve me!

Original poster
loulamay · 07/07/2020 18:58

Thanks everyone!

@Sunbird24 so sorry not to have welcomed you properly! You snuck in here very quietly :-) - are you also about to start IVF?

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 07/07/2020 17:50

Congrats @loulamay, everything crossed over here for you!

Whilstwewait · 07/07/2020 16:52

@loulamay aw lovely news congrats. Hoping your levels continue to rise. Please keep us posted x

Eggling · 07/07/2020 14:58

Ah congratulations @loulamay!! Hopefully you'll have higher levels tomorrow. Everything crossed for a sticky bean and a smooth nine months!

SunnySideUp2020 · 07/07/2020 13:29

Tentative congrats @loulamay !
Was following in the background :)
But since we the docs have asked us to try naturally until autumn i was just reading!

Hope your next hcg will be nice and high 😊

Original poster
loulamay · 07/07/2020 11:23

Thank you!

Just trying to take it easy today but suddenly feel exhausted! Think I will have been holding onto some level of stress during this whole process, it's such a waiting game! I said to my partner yesterday that it's in my nature to be a planner and so the not knowing just kills me! Grin

OP posts:
Gabbbbbbby · 07/07/2020 10:21

Oops sorry just re read your message properly - I didn't see that it was positive!! That's great!! Yeah definitely don't worry about what level they are now, they keep doubling every few days I think so im sure at your next test it will be more reassuring.

Gabbbbbbby · 07/07/2020 10:19

Hey! How confusing for you... My clinic were very strict on only testing 2 weeks after the transfer, and I just did a home test, which was then confirmed with a blood test.
It's so early for you, I don't know really what they hope to gain by testing now... Cos as you've realised, HCG results will most likely be inconclusive at this stage. I think don't get downhearted, I've done a bit of reading and it seems like early HCG levels are sooooo variable in the early stages. In a week or so hopefully you'll have a more concrete result.

I'm sorry it's so confusing!! I bet you don't know how to feel. Xxx

Original poster
loulamay · 07/07/2020 09:59

hi girls - got my beta blood test back yesterday and it's positive... I am 8dp5dt (look at me with my lingo) but HCG number is pretty low, so Dr wants me to do another blood test again tomorrow!

From my ridiculous Googling the consensus seems to be that a) it's pretty early to test and b) as long as the HCG numbers go up then it shouldn't matter that they start low.

Seriously - excuse my French but this whole thing is just a head f**k!

@Gabbbbbbby I think you only tested 2 weeks after your transfer right?

OP posts:
Eggling · 06/07/2020 06:51

I think it's just their policy for everyone, I'm not sure why though. How are you feeling today?

Original poster
loulamay · 05/07/2020 14:11

Great news! (weird that we should be celebrating AF haha). Interesting that they want you to have a two-cycle gap - did they say why?

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 05/07/2020 14:11

Hi ladies, hope everyone is doing ok! I’m still waiting for the go-ahead from Care for my first attempt, had blood tests and compulsory session with counsellor and it all seems pretty positive so far.

Eggling · 05/07/2020 14:04

@loulamay it's so frustrating that symptoms of early pregnancy and AF are basically the same - really not good for stress levels! Hopefully it's implantation cramps and your embryo is nestling in nicely 🤞🤞

I've not really found much of use on FET statistics despite lots of googling! I just get loads of articles comparing frozen and fresh cycles.

I've started my period today, so hopefully will hear from the clinic soon with when to take my norithisterone. Hoping for next cycle in 4 weeks so transfer in about 6!

Original poster
loulamay · 05/07/2020 13:07

PS. distracting myself went really well up until this afternoon... Grin Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
loulamay · 05/07/2020 12:52

Got some light cramping again this time which feels much like last time - so annoying not to know what it is because it could equally be implantation cramping - and no bleeding or spotting yet. Beta next week. The suspense!

I've been looking online for statistics related to the number of embryo transfers before success, but all I can really find is the IVF rates of success, with most of them showing stats on 'number of cycles' before success. That doesn't really tell me anything about the number of eggs retrieved or embryos that were frozen. Has anyone else managed to find anything that is more related to FET success over multiple tries?

OP posts:
Whilstwewait · 04/07/2020 14:16

@loulamay aw ive got everything crossed for you. Really hope its your month and glad you're feeling ok xx

@Eggling it must be strange getting excited for a period for a change. August will be here before we know it. Im still feeling good. I did get my bloods back from doctors though and although satisfactory by FSH was slightly higher than the normal range at 9.8 . So google made me stress. I really do need to just wait and trust the experts now as google doesn't help and I can do anything about it anyway. Best of luck to you for transfer xx

Eggling · 03/07/2020 12:45

Ah @loulamay that's exciting! Fingers crossed for a sticky embryo 🤞🤞 I'm not looking forward to the estrogen and progesterone tablets, pretty sure I'll be crazy for a few days!

I feel fine now, OHSS has all gone I think. I actually never felt terrible, just bloated and sore. I'm just impatient for my period now so I can get onto the next cycle and countdown! It's annoying that my clinic wants two periods before a frozen cycle.

Original poster
loulamay · 03/07/2020 10:26

Hi all!

Well done for taking the first step @Whilstwewait! I agree with @Eggling that it felt better to be actually taking charge a bit rather than just waiting around wondering what was going on so good for you.

I've had my first FET transfer and am in the dreaded wait until I can do my beta blood test. Am on estrogen and progesterone tablets which have a few side effects - had a pretty emotional day earlier in the week and also just want to eat everything in sight for some reason, but other than that I feel good!

Trying to keep busy this weekend and get a mani/go for a walk/see some friends to take my mind off things, but I must say that this time round without the effects of the egg retrieval it's been so much less stressful. Half wondering if we should have done a freeze all too but there we are.

@eggling - fab news on your embryos! How are you feeling now? Has the OHSS gone?

OP posts:
Eggling · 02/07/2020 18:55

Hi @Whilstwewait well done on sorting the initial consultation! If it's any reassurance I've felt the process generally fine - emotionally up and down but for me it's been better in some ways than fruitlessly TTC every month as at least I'm doing something if you know what I mean?

We ended up with 4 frozen embryos and hoping to transfer in August all being well. My clinic likes 2 bleeds so I'm hoping my withdrawal bleed arrives soon then I'll be taking norithisterone to bring on another in a few weeks. I've been a bit fed up the past couple of days as it feels like being back in limbo with the waiting!